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Education and ScienceH.R. 2399Comments

Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025

Official title: To require the Federal Communications Commission to establish a vetting process for prospective applicants for high-cost universal service program funding.

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Where the Bill Stands

  1. Introduced, done
  2. Committee, done
  3. Floor Vote, done
  4. Outcome, current stage

What This Bill Does

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a process to vet applicants for certain funding programs that support affordable broadband deployment in high-cost areas, including rural communities.

Specifically, the FCC must conduct a rulemaking to develop a vetting process for applicants seeking funding under high-cost universal service programs for the deployment of a broadband-capable network and the provision of supported services over the network. The FCC must require applications for such funding to document each applicant’s technical, financial, and operational capabilities related to the proposed deployment, as well as a reasonable business plan.

The FCC must evaluate applications against reasonable and well-established standards and must consider each applicant’s history of compliance with the requirements of other government broadband funding programs. After the rulemaking is finalized, funds may only be awarded to applicants that satisfy the standards established therein.

Finally, the FCC must set financial penalties for applicants that default in some manner during the evaluation process before they are authorized to begin receiving support.

Sponsors

Related Documents

Bill on Congress.govWeb Page ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Timeline

  1. SenateReceived in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 61.
  2. House floor actionsMr. Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  3. Passed the House
  4. House floor actionsReported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-78.
  5. House committee actionsCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  6. Library of CongressIntroduced in House
  7. House floor actionsReferred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  8. Introduced
  9. Committee

Comments

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